Cast steel bottom drop door



March Y28, 1933.

J. A. LAMONT ET AL CAST STEEL BOTTOM DROP DOOR Filed April 24, 1929 lge .MW-f', By w' March 28, 1.933. J. A. LAMONT ET AL CAST STEEL BOTTOM DROP DOOR Filed April 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Silex??l 2 n w Tfr! :IMQ 4 H hl l\ lll I, fL. )\|.I| Il n M 7 wif March 28, 1933. J. A. LAMoNT Er AL CAST STEEL BOTTOM DROP DOOR 4 sheets-sheet 5'y Filed April 24, 1929 March 28, 1933. J. A, LAMONT Er A1.

CAST STEEL BOTTOM DROP DOOR Filed April 24, 1 929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jaim, Z Lamm/, Weder' /f eflfj Jl?, Q5 M,

Patented Mar. 28, 1933 UNITED 4STAT-Es JOHN A. LAMONT AND FREDERICK A. JR., krF CHICAGO, ILLINIS,TASSIGNORS TO AMERICAN STEEL FOUNDR-IES, OFgCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW-: l

JERSEY PATENT OFFICE oAsT STEEL BOTTOM nner Doon Application ledApril 24,

a reinforced cast steel drop door forrailway cars and the like which presents a substantially uninterrupted load carrying sur` Y face to the load.

VAnother object of the invention isn to prov vide a cast steel drop door wherein the hinge y butts are secured thereto 'Vin such a manner `as to place the fastening means in multiple shear.

. Stillanother object of the invention is to` provide a reinforced cast steel drop door wherein the hinge butts are disposed in substantial alignment with certain of the reinforcements and wherein the fasteningv means o the hinge Abutts are disposed in multiple s ear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drop door having members formed thereon for reinforcing the door and for providing cooperating means for the operating mechanism. i i

Still further. object is to provide adrop door having ar portion of the load carrying plane formed to provide stiffening means for the door and also to provide cooperating structure for the operating mechanism withf out affecting discharge of the load when the door is in open position.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and opera-- tion7 aswill be more fully described and particularly pointed out `in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

' i In the drawings, which illustrate an ernbodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like partsi Figure l is a'fragmentary top plan view of one form of casts'teel'door embodying the invention; l y

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion -of the door"illustrated in Figure l, showing one method of fastening the hinge thereto;

1929. ser-iai Nt. 357,630.`

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation ofV the hinge `and door construction illustrated in ig'ur'e 2;

Figure 4 is afragmentary sectional side elevation of the door and hinge construction illustrated `in F igureQZ, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 4.-4 of Figure 2;V Figure 5 isa fragmentary top plan view of another form of caststeel drop door embo dying the invention;

' vFigure 6 `is an enlarged fragmentary topi plan vie-wot a portion of the door illustrated in Figure 5, showing one method of fastening the hinge thereto; y

Figure 7 is a fragmentary Vend elevation of the hinge and door construction illustrated in Figure `6; y",

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation ofthe door and hingel construction illustrated in Figure 6,.the same being taken substantially inthe plane as indicated by the line `8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure '9 is atop plan view of still vanother 'form ofrdrop bottom door embodying the invention; 1

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional elevation of the modified form of drop door, the same being taken substantially in the plane as'findicated by the line V10f-1i)zof Figure 9 Figure 11 is a side' elevation of the modied form rof drop door illustrated in Figure 9' Y Figure 12 is an end elevationof the modiiiedform of drop door illustrated in Figure 9, the same being. taken at the hinge ede thereof; Y

igure 13 is a top planview of yet another' modified form .of Adrop door embodying `the invention;

i Figure 14 is a sideelevation lof the modified form of drop door illustrated in Figure 13, showing the relation of said door to the adjacent carrstructure; and v Figure 15 is a ytransverse sectional elevation of the modified f ormv of drop door', the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 15-15 of Figure/13.

Referring first of all more particularlyto the "fornir of drop door illustrated inFgure tice. .A y

The rear flange 26 1s interrupted as yat 34 1, the door is preferably of cast construction and includes an upper plate presenting a smooth upper surface to the load to be carried, said plate being provided with side marginal flanges22, a front end mar-k ginal flange 24 continuous and integral with` the marginal flange 22, anda rear'marginal flange 26 preferably integral with and formed as a continuation of the side marginal flanges 22. The marginal flanges 22 and the under side of the door plate 20 are provided Y with transverse integral reinforcing ribs 28, in effect forming panels on the door plate and sectionalizing the longitudinally `extending marginal flanges 22. The depending marginal flanges and the transverse flangesU 28 are provided with proj ectingor reentrant flanges 30 for the purpose of 'providing a reinforcment forthe door plate of greater stiffness and strength. The Vtransverse ribs may be formed with lightening holes 32 which are also provided for shrinkage pur-Y poses, all consistent with good foundry pracin a plurality of places for the purpose of providing attachments for the hinge butts,

any number of which may be used, and theV flanges at the interrupted portions 4are formed with continuations 36 extending inwardly to a point adjacent the boss 38 formed on Vthe upper side of the door sheet, and are provided with a lower wall 40 forming a `pocket for the reception of the 'hinge butts 42. The hinge butts are substantially H.- shaped in transverse sectionand are formed with a plurality of bosses 44 provided with suitable apertures registering with apertures formed in the boss 38 for the reception of rivets 46 extending therethrough and through the lower wall 40 for fastening the hinge butts in place. The rivets 46 vare preferably provided with a conntersunk headv and maybe provided' with a snap point.y The bosses 44 are joined together by webs 48 and side vertical Walls 50,'and areprovided with a depending portion 52 disposed substantially in the plane of the rear V'door flange and apertured to receive the pin 54 for securing the hinge butt to the hinge pedestal or bracket' 56. The hinge bracket 56 is provided with an arcuate portion 58 adapted to receive-fandV support a correspending arcuate surface of vthe member 52 for supporting the same and forming a bearing therefor so that the pin 54 takes no stressbut merely serves to secure the door y against displacement.A IThe hingebutt may be provided with an upstanding ledge 60 and a rear wall 62 for forming a continuationl of the door plate andthe marginal flange 26. f

With this yconstruction it will be seen that the rivets 46 are placed in double shearand are not stressed when the door is inv closed position and when the ldoor is in closed position no bending stresses are carried on the pin 54.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 5 to 8- inclusive, the door plate 70 is provided with front and rear depending marginal flanges 72 and 74 and depending side marginal flanges 76 which preferably slope y outwardly for a snug lit with corresponding a recess Yfor receiving the hinge butt 84;

Said hinge butt extends into a. pocket and is secured to the portions 80 by means of transverse rivets 86 so that no fastening means are presented to the load, the hinge butt being preferably disposed in anintervrupted portion 88 of the rear flange 74 and provided' with a rear wall 90 and a ledge 92 forming a continuation of the rear flange 7 4 and the door plate. The hinge 84 is provided with a head 94 disposed substantially in the plane of the rear flange and provided with an aperturefor receiving the pin 96 securing the hinge kbutt to the hinge bracket 56 which has already been described.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, the door plate 100 is provided with front marginal flange 102'preferably formed with a reentrant portion 104,V

said flange being integral with side marginal flanges 106, which marginal flanges are. integral with the rear marginal flange 108. In this modification, the rear flanges are interrupted as at 110 for the reception of hinge butts 112, for cooperative engage- -ment with a suitable hinge bracket as has been described, the rear flange being preferably reentrant as at 114 and formed deeper adjacent the longitudinal center line ofthe door than at the side marginal flanges.

The side marginal flanges preferably slope outwardly to cooperate with and fit snugly against adjacent car structure.

The door plate 100 is formed with longitudinally depressed panel portions 116 preferably in alignment with the hinge butts and extending forwardly to a point adjacent the front flange 102, said panels being formed with marginal flanges 118 forming tracksfordoor operating mechanism, and the inner walls 120 of said panel portions may be reinforced by transverse ribs 122 formed integral with said panels and with thevdoor plate. rrlhe panels merge into the ,door plate adjacent the forward flange 102 by means of a sloping wall portion 124 so formed that when the door is iii-.dump po.`

Y sition, the load will slide freely over the Ltially lthe same as hinge butt 52, being providedwith a plurality of bosses 134 and secured to the door plate Vby means ofk therivets 136. A

In the modification illustrated in Figures '13 to 15 inclusive, the door plate 150 is formed to present a flat upper surface to the load7 and said door plate is provided with front and rear marginal flanges 152 and 154 formed integral with depending sloping side marginal flanges 156 which co operate with cross members 158 of a car, as shown in Figure 15. The door in raised position, if in a car of the fiat bottom type,

` may abut against the under edge of the side sill 160 and the under edge of a plate 162 spaced from said side sill and dening the load' discharging opening. The door is provided with longitudinally extending iii-v tegral depending members 164 formed on the flat under side with a track portion 166 for cooperative relation with the door op erating mechanism, the track being provided With a sloping portion 168 merging into the front flange 152. The track members merge at the end thereof with an in` tegral hinge, butt 170 formed integral therewith and with the depending end flange 154,

the hinge butt being provided with an open-l ing 172 adapted to have pivotalrrelation with a bracket, which may be similar tothe bracket 56 and secured to the car structure. The door is. formed between the front and rear marginal flanges and the depending ribs 164 with integral intersecting cross ribs 174 said ribs being formed to merge into the ribs ,164 adjacent the door plate 150 and to increase in height to the longitudinal center line ofthedoor, as shown in Figure 15, the ribs being formed with bosses 1 7 6 at the intersections. The intersecting ribs merge into the front and rear flanges preferably through a single short rib 178 and merge into the ribs 164 preferably by` a short rib 180.

With this construction, a very compact and strong reinforced plate door can bev provided which may be lightened by providing lightening holes 182 in the ribs to serve also for shriiikagepurposes.

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown,` which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as varions' and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the. spiriti ofthe invention or the scope of the claims;A ,i

1. In a mechanism scribed, the combination ofza cast drop door provided with stifl'ening ribs, hinges-for attaching the door to a mounting, means for securing the movable hinge elements to the door, and recesses. formed within said. door for receiving these elements, so designed as to relieve the securing meansy from. stress when the door is in the normally closedposition. i

2. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination vof a drop door,

provided on its lower surface with a series.

of cast ribs to insure rigidity and a .track forengagement of door closingv means, mar# of the character dei ginal flanges for Yfurtherincreasing stiff-f Y ness and rigidity, recesses formed by re'-V ventrant sections of these flanges and the aforementioned cast ribs, to receive the Inoving element of the hinges, and means for securing said moving hinge elements to the door.

scribed, the combination of hinges comprising stationary pivot members and movable elements, a drop door provided with two or more elongated cast depressions, stiffening webs on said door, pairs of ribs positioned on theunder surface of the* door at said depressed sections to act as bearing surfaces, for suitable door closing means, recessesy formed by the main doory structure for receivingV and retaining the movable elements. of said hinges and means for securing said movable elements.` to the door casting. i

4. A drop door provided with, elongated cast depressions, stiening webs and marginal reentrant flanges, pairs of ribs positioned on the under surface ofthe door at Y p l 10 3. In a mechanism of the character.` de-A said depressed sections as bearing si'irfacesv for suitable door closing means', together with recesses formed by elements of the door structure for securing suitable hinges.

5. In a dump door the combination of a main sheet, marginal flanges formedthereon, said main sheet having paneled portions disposed between a pair of flanges, said panels having portions forV cooperative relation with door operating mechanism saidl panels merging into said sheet adjacent one of said flanges by slop-ing; portions whereby when said door is moved to discharge posi-yL tions no pocketing of. the Vload will result;

6. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheet, marginal flanges formed there-f on, said main sheet having paneled portions i when said door is moved` to dischargeposi-l tionsno "p'ocketing of the load will result Y and hinge butts secured to said sheetv by means disposed in multiple shear.

7. In a. door construction, a rigid reinforced door having a door closing track projecting from one surface thereof, a hinge receiving recess formed in said door located at the extremity of and between the extended projection yof said track.

8. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheet presentingan upper plane surface to the inside of a car, said sheet having depending marginal lianges, members formed on one of said flanges'and on said sheet and disposed to form hinge pockets, and

hinge butts fastened insaid pockets by means disposed in multiplel shear.

9. In a dump door, the combination of a main: sheet presenting an upper plane surface to the inside of a car, said sheet having depending marginal flanges, members formed 0n one of said flanges andV on saidY sheet.

and disposed to form hinge pockets, bosses formed onl said sheet, and hingeY butts fastened in said pockets by means through said bosses and pocket whereby said means is disposed in double shear.

10. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheet presenting an upper plane surface to the inside 'of a car, said sheet having depending marginal flanges, members formed on one of said flanges and on said sheet and disposed to form hinge pockets, and hinge butts disposed substantially in the plane of one of said flanges and fastened in said pockets by means disposed in multiple shear.

11. In avdump door, the combination of a main sheet, hinge butts secured thereto, hinge brackets continually pivoted to said hinge butts and provided with a butt engagingV bearing for supporting said butt whereby substantially no load is carried byy the pivot between said-butt and bracket in certain positionof said door.

12. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheet, marginal flanges formed thereon, said main sheet having paneled portions disposed between av pair of flanges, saidy panels having portions for cooperative relation with door operating mechanism.

13. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheen-marginal flanges formed there-V on, said main sheet having paneled Aportions disposed between a pair of flanges, said panels having portions for cooperative relation with door operating mechanism, hinge butt pockets formed in said sheet in substantial 'alignment with said panels, and hinge buttsfastened therein.

14. In a dump door, the combination of a main sheet, marginal flanges formed thereon, said main sheet having paneled portions.

disposed between a pair of flanges, said panels having portions tor cooperative relation with door operating mechanism, hinge butt pockets formed in said sheet in sub-4 stantial alignment vwith said panels, and

hinge butts fastened thereinby means dis-- posed in multiple shear.

15. In a kdump door, the combination of al load supporting plate, saidplate being providedV with spaced hinge butt securing portions, hinge butts disposed between said portions, and securing means passing through said portions and hinge butts for fastening said butts to said door.

16. In a dump-door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate beingprovided with spacedy substantially parallel hinge butt securing portions, hinge Vbutts disposed between said portions, and securing means passing through said portions and hinge butts for fastening said butts to said door. f .i

17. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with a. member spaced from said plate and forming a recess, a hinge buttv disposed between'said member and plate and in said recess, and securing means passing through said butt, said plate and said member for fastening said butt-to said door.

18. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with a hinge butt securing portion,y

a hingebutt provided with means forsecuring said butt to said portion, said portion being thickened to receive said butt securing means.

19. In a dump door, the combination of a f plate.

20. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, a hinge butt secured to said plate, said butt being provided, with' a shoulder adapted to have cooperative engagement with said plate for positioning said buttv with respect to saidfplate.

21. In a dump door, .the combinationof a load supporting plate, a hinge butt secured to said plate, a hinge member pivotally mounted ,to said hinge butt, said member being provided with means engaging a portion of said butt for at least partially supporting said butt in all operative positions of said door. i f g 22. In a dump door, the combination ofa load supporting plate, a hinge butt secured to said plate, a hinge member pivotally mounted to said hinge butt, said member being provided with arcuate frictional supporting means for at least partially supporting said hinge butt in all positions of operation-of said door.

23. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with spaced hinge butt securing portions, a hinge butt disposed between said portions, and securing means disposed substantially parallel to said plate and passing through said portions and said hinge butt for fastening said butt to said door.

24. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with a track adapted to have cooperation with operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door, said track being provided with spaced portions adjacent one edge of said plate forming with said plate a recess for the reception of a hinge butt, a hinge butt disposed in said recess, vand securing means fastening said hinge butt to said door.

25. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with a track adapted to have cooperation with operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door, said track being provided with spaced portions adjacent one edge of said plate forming with said plate a recess for the reception of a hinge butt, a hinge butt disposed in said recess, and fastening means cooperating with said hinge butt and said spaced portions for securing said hinge butt to said door.

26. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with a track adapted to have cooperation with operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door, said track being providedL with spaced portions adjacent one edge of said plate forming with said plate a recess for the reception of a hinge butt, a hinge butt disposed Vin said recess, and fastening Vmeans cooperating with said hinge butt and spaced track portions for securing said hinge butt to said door, said hinge butt being provided with means cooperating with said door for positioning said butt in said recess.

27. In a dump door, the combination of .a load supporting plate having integral marginal flanges, said plate being provided with a track `integral with a plurality of opposite flanges and adapted to have cooperation With operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door, said track being provided with spaced portions adjacent one edge of said plate and forming with said plate a recess for reception of a hinge butt, a hinge butt disposed in said recess and securing means fastening said hinge butt to said door.

28. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate having integral marginali-flanges, said Vplate being provided with a track integral with a plurality of opposite flanges and adaptedto have cooperation with operating means ffo'r controlling opening and closing of said door, said track beingfprovided with spaced portions i Vadjacent Aone edge of said plateand forming with .said plate a recess for reception of a hinge butta hingebutt disposed in said recess, andv securingmeans cooperating` with said hin-gebutt and said spaced portions for securing saidhinge butt to said door. y 29. In a dump door, vthe combination of a 4load ksupporting plate provided with a track adapted to have cooperation with Aoperating means `for controlling opening 'and closing 0f the door,"said plate being provided with spaced panels and reinforcingmeans disposed between andV connecting said panels.

' "30. Ina dum' door thec'ombination of y a load supporting plate, said plate being when said doors are in dumped position and reinforcing means merging into said panels.

32. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate, said plate being provided with panels disposed therein, and

hinge butt recesses formed in said plate sub-` i stantially in alignment with said panels.

33. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate having marginal flanges, said plate being provided with panels therein extending between but independ ent `of at least one of said marginal flanges, hinge butt recesses formed in said vplatesubstantially in alignment with said panels and intersecting a portion of one of said marginal flanges.

34. In a dump door, the combination of a` load supporting plate having marginal flanges, said plate being provided with panels therein extending between but independent of at least one of said marginal flanges, l,

hinge butt recesses formed in said plate substantially in alignment with said panels and intersecting a portion of one of said marginal flanges, said panels each being eration with'operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door.

35. In a dump door, the combination of a load supporting plate having marginal provided with a track adapted to have 'coop-I flanges, said plate being provided with pan- ,130

els 'therein extending `between but indepedent of atleast one of said marginal anges,

hinge butt recesses formed in said plate substantially in alignment with said panels and intersecting a portion of one of said marginal flanges, and means connecting said panels and :integral With said plate.4

36. In a dump door, the combination of a Vload supporting plate having ymarginal flanges, said plate'being provided with panels therein extending between but independent of at least one of said marginal flanges, hinge butt recesses formed in said plate substantially in alignment With said panels and intersecting a portion of one of said marginal flanges,'said panels each being provided With a track adapted to have cooperation Withl operating means for controlling opening and closing of said door, and means connecting said panels and integral with said plate,

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 20th day of April, 1929.

JOI-IN A. LAMONT. FREDERICK A. LORENZ, J R. 

